TURN IT OFF

Okay so this is something that totally drives me crazy: when people (usually on the freeway) leave their blinker on after they have already switched lanes or merged or whatever. How do you not hear the constant clicking inside your car, reminding you that your blinker is in fact, still on? Then all the other people around you wonder, "are you switching lanes, exiting, merging...or just oblivious?"
So a couple of years ago I figured out how to remedy this little problem. I call it, for lack of a better term-the blinker trick. Steve and I were on our way to Nampa from Oregon one time, and we were driving on I-84 with the beautiful Columbia River right next to us. Then we come upon this jeep who has his blinker on...so I kind of hang back and wait to see what he's going to do...but he just keeps driving. He doesn't switch lanes or get off the freeway or anything.
I knew there had to be a way to get this idiot to realize that his blinker had now been on for a good 5 miles. So I pass him and get over so I'm now in front of him...and then I turn on my blinker. 5...4...3...2...1...his blinker turns off.

He was probably thinking, "what idiots, turn off your-oh (as he realizes that HIS blinker is still on)." It was so awesome. I think it gave me a sense of empowerment, it was great.

Anyway, I just remembered this story yesterday because once again I was on the freeway behind someone who had their blinker on just for fun. So I gave the blinker trick a go and sure enough...worked like a charm. The best is watching from my rear view mirror and seeing their blinker blink for the last time before they turn it off. I just get such satisfaction over it, I don't know why. So...give it a try, it works!

Coming Right Up

*Okay so if you're not up to date on HP...don't read ahead. I already ruined it for one person. Sorry Tara!!!*

It's coming so soon and I'm not sure if I'm ready. To read the last Harry Potter book that is. I mean, I can't wait to read it, but it's THE LAST ONE! Now what am I going to have to look forward to? Is it crazy of me to hope that it's 5,ooo pages long? Or more. The one thing that gives me comfort is that there are still 2 more movies to make; so that should keep me happy for the next couple of years. And what's going to happen? Is Dumbledore dead (yes)? Is Snape good or bad (good)? Will Harry die or Voldemort or both? Will JK continue her absolutely brilliant portrayal of young, awkward teenage love? YES! I am S0 excited! And as for the new movie...I can't wait to see what everything looks like. I know what it looks like in my mind, but it's so fun to see it on screen; it is always so incredible. I'll be there at midnight opening day...will you?

Great Week!

Just a few pictures from our visit to Grandma and Grandpa's house. We had a great week, thanks mom and dad for everything!

MY SIS!! I love you so much!!And here are the girls! Thanks for squeezing in one last girls' night! Oh Ilene how I'll miss your house and good friends and yummy food that was always there! I'm so grateful for ALL of the good friends I had here during law school, you guys are the best and I'll miss you! And for my hometown homies...I love you all too! For those of you reading this, I would LOVE it if you would check out my friend Brenley's blog; she has a sweet request that I want as many people to see as possible. Thanks!

Stamp Camp

I'm only allowed to make 2 of each card at stamp camp, but I wanted to tell all of my fellow bloggers how great you are. My sister actually made this one, but hers always turn out cuter than mine, so I used hers for the blog.

We had tons of fun last night eating and stamping and chatting. I really love stamp camps but sometimes they are so long, and by the end I just want to get done, so a lot of times the last cards I make are just plain old sloppy, or I just skip them altogether. But I'm so not creative on my own, so it's fun to come and put together someone else's ideas, and then when you give it to someone they think you are amazing and so talented! But, yesterday I was asking Leann and my mom if they are like me and have to think long and hard about who they are going to send their cards too. I mean, it has to be someone really special, because not anyone can get one of my cards that I spent FOREVER making. I always think to myself, "is this person going to appreciate the craftiness that went into this, because if not then they don't get one..." I discovered that I'm not the only one who thinks this thought.

Anyway, it's good to be back in Eugene for a few days...I loved seeing some of you girls again (which I will blog about later) and it's fun to see the fam, but I'm missing Steve and so is Easton. We'll be home soon!

Happy Father's Day!!

To the best dad ever! Easton is so lucky to have you! And so am I! Here are some of my favorite pictures of you two. Have a great day and know that we love you so much!

Other dads that we love...Happy Father's Day Grandpas!

Easton's First Moves

We were finally able to capture Easton making some progress with his crawling. All day he tries and tries; going small distances very slowly and wobbly. But then Dad comes home from studying and Easton just takes off trying to get to him. It was so dang cute how excited he was to see him. So I grabbed the camera and he did it again...so fun! Of course now we have to get into baby proofing, which is the whole reason I didn't want to encourage this whole crawling thing, but oh well, it's cute. My favorite is how when he's getting ready to go he gets on his feet and looks like he's ready to run the hundred meter dash. On your mark, get set...go!

INTRODUCING...

JUSTIN ALAN JOLLEY

He's here! My brother's wife had their second baby yesterday. 7 lbs 13 oz...just a little guy! He's number 17 for our family and the 5th boy in a row! My brother Marc says we either have our own b-ball team, or offensive line. BOYS RULE!! I'm so happy for you Darren, Jill and Joseph. Congratulations on a healthy new baby! Looks like I might have to take a detour up to Seattle when I come to Springfield next week. I just can't wait any longer to get my hands on him!

Good Day

I was so happy that Steve let us borrow him for a few hours on Saturday so we could play at the park! He didn't have his class, so we went to Boise and had a picnic at this really pretty park. It was a perfect day; sunny, but not too hot. It was one of the first times we've been able to go out together as a family since we moved here! Easton had a great time being in the sun and watching all of the people nearby. So much fun, thanks babe!

Courtenay's Visit

Courtenay came to visit on her way back from Oregon...with her fiance! For those of you who don't know Court, she's my next door neighbor...buds since we were born. She's the best 3rd grade teacher in Utah, and she just met (like 3 weeks ago!!) John and they are getting married in September. I was so glad that they took the time to stop during their long trip back to Utah. Easton was glad too, even though Courtenay scratched him in the face. Don't worry, he's not mad anymore, he doesn't hold grudges.

So this is John...I didn't even find out his last name, so Court, if you're reading this, let me know what that is. We approve, and you guys look great together! Hope you made it back to Utah safely!

My Sleeping Nephew

This is my nephew Brennen. When I took this picture he had something all over his face. Now I can't remember what it was...

He's 2, and true to his age, he's pretty rambunctious and exhausting. He keeps us going all day every day...and sometimes I think he just gets worn out. For as loud as he can be, when this kid sleeps, he is OUT...dead to the world, and nothing can wake him.

These are the various positions I have found him in over the past few days. I could never sleep like this; it amazes me. All around him are kids playing, tv watching, dog barking, baby crying...but he doesn't care.

This is where he started...

This is where he was a little while later. It didn't even wake him up when he rolled off the couch and onto the floor! These pictures crack me up. I can't wait to see where he falls asleep next time.

Baby Monitors

I guess I just don't understand what is so great about these things. When Easton was born I was blessed (or cursed) with a new sense of supersonic hearing, and was able to hear his every move. This prevented me from getting any sleep for his first few weeks of life. In our small apartment in Eugene, we didn't really see the need for a baby monitor since he was in the room right next to us and I could hear him so well.

Finally over the past couple of months Easton has begun to sleep better...pretty much all night long, which has been amazing. When he would wake up in the night, we'd let him cry himself back to sleep, and this provided me with hours more sleep each week. Fast forward to now...we moved in with family and are no longer the only ones trying to sleep in this house. E slept better here than he ever has in his short life...he sleeps down the hall and if he wakes up he goes back to sleep because I never heard him. But his room is right next to Steve's parent's room, and they informed us that on occasion they could hear him crying once in awhile at night. So then we (Steve) decided that maybe we should get a baby monitor, so that we can hear him and get to him if we need to before he wakes other people up.

We've had this thing for a few nights and I totally hate it. Steve puts it next to him and turns it down really low, and thinks that only he will hear him. It became obvious to me last night that that won't work, seeing as how at 3:15 am I was wide awake listening to Easton whine, while Steve was sound asleep. Slowly he wakes up and taps me on the leg. How nice of him to inform me that our child is awake. So now I'm torn...he wasn't screaming...just whining, only it seemed like screaming because it was amplified by this monitor. Do I get up and try to calm him down and get him back to sleep? Or let him cry it out? I voted for letting him cry, but I lost. So I go in there and try to calm him down, and he does, but I can't leave while he's still awake because of those 2 great little words: separation anxiety. I have to wait until he's totally out until I can leave. That's why I'm all about letting him cry for awhile...it will be good for him to learn to get himself back to sleep.

So, my nights are now going to be ruled by a dumb baby monitor. It wouldn't be that bad if I, like Steve, could return to my previous state of sleep in 5 seconds...but it takes me more like an hour to get back to my peaceful slumber. I'm wondering if he really has been sleeping as well as I thought, or if we just didn't hear him when he would wake up in the middle of the night. Either way, I was thoroughly enjoying my eight hours of sleep and happy morning baby.

Now I shouldn't blame this all on the baby monitor (although i really do hate it)...he is teething, which I'm sure is part of the reason for the waking up. I know I blame everything on the teeth...but I swear they're coming...I can actually see them this time. I have tried for 8 and a half months to be able to sleep through all his little noises and tune out his crying, so it kills me that we actually went out and bought a device that amplifies those noises to an annoying degree. Ironic.